Title
Approval of a Resolution Authorizing an Interlocal Agreement with the Washington State Department of Natural Resources for Forest Land Wildfire Mutual Aid Response
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve a resolution authorizing the City Manager to sign the agreement with the Washington State Department of Natural Resources for Forest Land Wildfire Mutual Aid Response.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve an interlocal agreement with the State Department of Natural Resources for mutual aid response that will support Olympia Fire Department with resources to extinguish and to investigate the cause of fires in the Urban Wildland interface areas of the City. (See below for description of such land within the City).
Staff Contact:
Greg Rightmier, Battalion Chief of Training, 360.709.2703
Presenter(s):
None - Consent Calendar Item.
Background and Analysis:
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) collects property taxes on certain lands and are statutorily charged with the protection of those lands from wildfire. Within the City of Olympia limits and/or Urban Growth Area (UGA) are land parcels that are individually or contiguously greater than five acres and have harvestable size timber stands. The ownership of those lands varies, however both agencies respond to fire incidents on those lands. Such areas exist north of Providence St. Peter Hospital, Watershed and Priest Point parks, LBA Woods, and areas both north and south of the City on the west side.
In years past, the City of Olympia Fire Department has taken a lead role in the extinguishment of fires on these parcels and has worked with mutual aid partners and the DNR to access manpower, equipment and technical expertise, without working out the details in advance.
In the event of a fire on "protected forest land" within the City, or if a fire originating on "protected forest land" extends to the City, the incident comma...
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